Climate Prediction Center’s Central America Hazards Outlook May 7 – May 13, 2015
Heavy rains received throughout much of northern Central America during the last week.
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Recent heavy rains expected to improve Apante dryness throughout many local areas in Central America.
During the past week, well-distributed and anomalously heavy amounts of rain fell dry throughout northern Central America. The highest rainfall accumulations (>75mm) were received over parts of northern Guatemala, southern Honduras and El Salvador, marking the most weekly rainfall observed since the beginning of the year. Since the beginning of April, portions of eastern Guatemala, the western and southern parts of Honduras, and northwestern Nicaragua had been experiencing moisture deficits between 50-100 mm, accounting for only less than 50 percent of the average.
However, the broad increase in precipitation during the last week alleviated much of the dryness, as several of these regions now remain closer to average in rainfall over the last 30 days.
During the next week, enhanced rains are expected to shift eastward over the Caribbean leaving many local areas in Guatemala much drier compared to the previous week. The highest rainfall accumulations are expected over Costa Rica, with a more seasonal distribution of rains over Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador. If the return of dryness persists over parts of Guatemala into the month of May, this may negatively impact early season Primera cropping activities.
Week 1 Rainfall Total and Rainfall Anomaly Forecast (mm) May 6 – May 13, 2015
Figure 1: Source NOAA / CPC
